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Kan. lawmakers kill bill hiking tobacco taxes to fix budget

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have killed a bill containing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposals to raise tobacco and liquor taxes to help fix the state’s serious budget problems.

The GOP-controlled state Senate voted 37-1 to kill the bill Tuesday. Senate President Susan Wagle and other top Republicans had predicted there would be little support for Brownback’s proposals.

Lawmakers so far are focusing on closing projected budget shortfalls totaling more than $1 billion through June 2019 by rolling back past income tax cuts championed by Brownback.

The Legislature passed an income tax bill last month but Brownback vetoed it.

The bill rejected by the Senate also contained Brownback’s proposal to increase annual filing fees paid by for-profit businesses.

Some senators said debating proposals with so little support was a waste of time.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are considering whether to increase tobacco taxes as part of a broader package for fixing the state budget and raising new dollars for public schools.

The Senate planned to debate a bill Tuesday that contains Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposals to raise taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco products, liquor, wine and beer. The bill also would increase annual filing fees for businesses.

Top Senate Republicans do not believe Brownback’s proposals have much support. But Majority Leader Jim Denning said higher tobacco taxes could be the exception.

Lawmakers so far have been focused on raising income taxes to close projected budget shortfalls totaling more than $1 billion through June 2019.

Also the Kansas Supreme Court ruled last week that the state isn’t spending enough money on its public schools.

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